Midcentury amethyst cabochon ring by Tor Schwanck, c1970
Here’s a Modernist amethyst ring that was handcrafted in the studio of the Finnish Australian gold and silversmith Tor Schwanck.
Born in 1935 into a metalworking family, Tor could trace this heritage back to a 15th-century armourer.
He was four when the Soviets bombed Helsinki and became one of thousands of children evacuated to foster families in Sweden. He completed his five-year bench apprenticeship in Malmö, studying design and fine art at night. In 1961 he arrived in Melbourne with “nothing but his craft”.
He opened Tor Design in St Kilda, later moving to Armadale. “Almost all my work is one-off,” he said in an Arts Victoria video that can be found on in the ACMI collection on YouTube. “Very rarely do I repeat a design, and then it’s not precisely the same – we never keep drawings and measurements.”
Tor gave up jewellery making in his early 40s and died in 2005. Today his work can be found in museums around Australia.
The stone in this ring offers a wonderful range of colours, from regal purple to vibrant fuschia. It’s as stylish today as it was when it came from Tor’s bench.
View a YouTube video of this ring here
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING, TRACKED AND INSURED
FREE RETURNS WITHIN 14 DAYS
• Handmade in sterling silver
• Set securely with a cabochon cut amethyst
• Size approximately 4 or H
• Weight is 6.7 grams
• In excellent vintage condition – it comes from the collection of Karen Deakin Antiques
• Will come in a gift box
The photos are true to life – they’re our attempt to put this jewel into your hands. Please examine them carefully as they form part of the description.
Buy with confidence: we accept returns within 14 days if you’re not delighted with your purchase. Stock can be viewed by appointment at a secure location in central Sydney.
We’d be very happy to send more information and images.
Layaway available – just ask!
Here’s a Modernist amethyst ring that was handcrafted in the studio of the Finnish Australian gold and silversmith Tor Schwanck.
Born in 1935 into a metalworking family, Tor could trace this heritage back to a 15th-century armourer.
He was four when the Soviets bombed Helsinki and became one of thousands of children evacuated to foster families in Sweden. He completed his five-year bench apprenticeship in Malmö, studying design and fine art at night. In 1961 he arrived in Melbourne with “nothing but his craft”.
He opened Tor Design in St Kilda, later moving to Armadale. “Almost all my work is one-off,” he said in an Arts Victoria video that can be found on in the ACMI collection on YouTube. “Very rarely do I repeat a design, and then it’s not precisely the same – we never keep drawings and measurements.”
Tor gave up jewellery making in his early 40s and died in 2005. Today his work can be found in museums around Australia.
The stone in this ring offers a wonderful range of colours, from regal purple to vibrant fuschia. It’s as stylish today as it was when it came from Tor’s bench.
View a YouTube video of this ring here
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING, TRACKED AND INSURED
FREE RETURNS WITHIN 14 DAYS
• Handmade in sterling silver
• Set securely with a cabochon cut amethyst
• Size approximately 4 or H
• Weight is 6.7 grams
• In excellent vintage condition – it comes from the collection of Karen Deakin Antiques
• Will come in a gift box
The photos are true to life – they’re our attempt to put this jewel into your hands. Please examine them carefully as they form part of the description.
Buy with confidence: we accept returns within 14 days if you’re not delighted with your purchase. Stock can be viewed by appointment at a secure location in central Sydney.
We’d be very happy to send more information and images.
Layaway available – just ask!
Here’s a Modernist amethyst ring that was handcrafted in the studio of the Finnish Australian gold and silversmith Tor Schwanck.
Born in 1935 into a metalworking family, Tor could trace this heritage back to a 15th-century armourer.
He was four when the Soviets bombed Helsinki and became one of thousands of children evacuated to foster families in Sweden. He completed his five-year bench apprenticeship in Malmö, studying design and fine art at night. In 1961 he arrived in Melbourne with “nothing but his craft”.
He opened Tor Design in St Kilda, later moving to Armadale. “Almost all my work is one-off,” he said in an Arts Victoria video that can be found on in the ACMI collection on YouTube. “Very rarely do I repeat a design, and then it’s not precisely the same – we never keep drawings and measurements.”
Tor gave up jewellery making in his early 40s and died in 2005. Today his work can be found in museums around Australia.
The stone in this ring offers a wonderful range of colours, from regal purple to vibrant fuschia. It’s as stylish today as it was when it came from Tor’s bench.
View a YouTube video of this ring here
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING, TRACKED AND INSURED
FREE RETURNS WITHIN 14 DAYS
• Handmade in sterling silver
• Set securely with a cabochon cut amethyst
• Size approximately 4 or H
• Weight is 6.7 grams
• In excellent vintage condition – it comes from the collection of Karen Deakin Antiques
• Will come in a gift box
The photos are true to life – they’re our attempt to put this jewel into your hands. Please examine them carefully as they form part of the description.
Buy with confidence: we accept returns within 14 days if you’re not delighted with your purchase. Stock can be viewed by appointment at a secure location in central Sydney.
We’d be very happy to send more information and images.
Layaway available – just ask!
